Chickasha Police Department, Oklahoma
End of Watch: Tuesday, December 16, 1930
Age:
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 16, 1930
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Murder charge dismissed
Officer Tate was shot and killed while serving a warrant for a theft.
Officer Tate and his partner were serving a warrant on a man at his home for some stolen clothing when his partner lifted a mattress and revealed a half gallon of whiskey. Officer Tate was standing in the door when he was knocked down from behind by a blow on the head with the stock of a shotgun by the suspect's son who seized his weapon and before his partner could react, fired three shots into Officer Tate’s chest, heart and abdomen. His partner then shot the shooter through the chest causing him to drop the gun. The original suspect then attempted to pick up Officer Hale's gun and his partner also shot him. A daughter then tried to retrieve the gun, but was stopped. Officer Tate died on the way to the hospital.
The suspect died from his wounds two weeks later. His son, 20, recovered from his wounds and was charged with Officer Tate’s murder. His charge was dismissed due to insufficient evidence,
Officer Tate was survived by his wife and a step-son.